Background/history
This law ensured free appropriate public education for school-aged children in 1975.
What is the Education of All Handicapped Children Act?
Only about this percentage of eligible children in NY receive EI services.
What is 51%?
Missing early intervention can negatively impact this broad area of daily life.
What is occupation (daily functioning/participation)?
OTs can teach caregivers strategies for routines like dressing and toileting.
What is patient/caregiver education?
Early intervention focuses on children in this critical age range.
What is birth to 3 years old?
Low pay in EI contributes to a shortage of these professionals.
Who are occupational therapists (OTs)?
OTs face this dilemma when they cannot meet mandated service needs.
What is an ethical/professional dilemma?
This AOTA resource helps advocate for EI funding.
What is the Legislative Action Center?
This federal law now governs early intervention services today.
What is IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)?
These result from provider shortages and high demand.
What are long waitlists and service delays?
A major workforce issue causing therapists to leave EI jobs.
What is low pay and lack of benefits?
This method helps deliver services to underserved or rural populations.
What is telehealth?
Early intervention was expanded in 1986 to include this population.
Who are infants and toddlers with disabilities?
Children in these areas especially struggle with access to EI services.
What are rural areas?
These system challenges increase burnout and reduce provider participation.
What are administrative burdens/systemic barriers?
OTs can advocate for early identification through these local systems.
What are schools, school boards, or disability services?
This program currently provides funding, eligibility standards, and guidance for EI services.
What is Part C of IDEA?
This financial issue discourages therapists from working in EI.
What are low reimbursement rates?
OT students lack this type of training experience in EI settings.
What is clinical fieldwork with ages 0–3 (early intervention experience)?
When EI isn’t available, families can be referred to these or supported through plans.
What are outpatient clinics or 504 plans?